Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ericales>Clethraceae>Clethra acuminata Michaux
Other names: Mountain White-alder, Cinnamonbark Clethra
| This large shrub is common in the understory of rich woods in the Mountains of North Carolina. It is endemic to the southern Appalachians. Haywood Co., NC 5/10/08. |
| Similar to the smaller Coastal Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) of the Coastal Plain, but the leaves are longer-pointed (acuminate) and the flowers lack the spicily sweet fragrance of the Coastal Sweet Pepperbush. Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07. |
| Carroll Co., VA 7/14/07. |
| The racemes of white flowers open in mid-late July. Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05. |
| Remnants of infructescences. Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06. |
| The broad leaves are large, about the size of your hand. Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06. |
| The reddish bark peels off in thin sheets, which gives it another common name, Cinnamonbark Clethra. Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05. |
| Carroll Co., VA 10/16/06. |
| Some more photos of the cinnamon-colored, peeling bark of some large specimens, just because it is so beautiful. Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10. |
| Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10. |
| Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10. |
| Carroll Co., VA 4/11/10. |
More information:
NC State
Tree Trail
All photographs and text ©2011 by Will Cook unless otherwise indicated.